Square takoyakiki with 16 molds

Takoyaki (たこ焼き, タコ焼き or 蛸焼き, literally fried or baked octopus) is a popular Japanese dumpling made of batter, octopus, tenkasu, pickled ginger, konyaku, and leek, topped with okonomiyaki sauce, green laver (aonori), and mayonnaise. Making takoyaki requires a takoyakiki, a special frying pan made of cast iron with half-spherical molds.

Although takoyaki can easily be made at home, provided the equipment is available, it is usually considered fast food and is almost exclusively sold on the street. Frozen takoyaki is also available. It is especially popular in the Kansai region, but has seen a surge in popularity in recent years in other parts of Japan. In Kansai region, takoyaki is considered a side dish and eaten with a bowl of cooked rice. Elsewhere in Japan it is eaten without rice as a snack food.

Tako, which means octopus, has been imported mainly from Morocco for the tenderness and price. Recently, Morocco has decided to reduce the total amount of catch to conserve the nature, which could potentially result in significant damage to the local food service industry and economy of Osaka.

See also

• Japanese cuisine
• Akashiyaki
• 6562 Takoyaki - asteroid [1]